M A Baby named CPI(M) General Secretary at 24th Congress, succeeds late Sitaram Yechury

M A Baby has been elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] during the 24th party congress held in Madurai. The announcement came on the concluding day of the Congress, which began on April 2. The post had been vacant following the death of Sitaram Yechury in September 2024. After Yechury’s demise, former General Secretary Prakash Karat took over as interim coordinator until a new leader was chosen.

Baby, aged 71, was elected after securing the support of 11 out of 16 members of the party’s Politburo, the highest decision-making body within CPI(M). His main contender was Ashok Dhawale, president of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), who had the backing of a section of party leaders. Baby's election was the result of internal deliberations and voting within the Politburo.

Born in 1954 in Prakkulam, Kollam district of Kerala, Baby is the son of PM Alexander and Lilly Alexander. He began his political career in school by joining the Kerala Students Federation, the predecessor of the Students Federation of India (SFI). Over the years, he rose through the party ranks and became a member of the CPI(M) Politburo in 2012.

He served as a Rajya Sabha member for two consecutive terms from 1986 to 1998. In Kerala, Baby held the position of Education Minister, playing a significant role in state-level governance. His long-standing presence in national and state politics has been marked by steady involvement in party activities and leadership responsibilities.

The 24th party congress concluded on Sunday with Baby's election as General Secretary. The Congress served as a platform for discussions on party strategy, leadership, and policy direction. Baby is the first Christian to hold the position and the second leader from Kerala to do so after E M S Namboodiripad.